Gudi Padwa: How Modern Maharashtrian Families Celebrate The Festival

Firstly, a very Happy Gudi Padwa and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all my ‘awesome’ readers!! 

Gudi Padwa, as per the Luni-Solar Hindu calendar, is the first day of Chaitra month that marks the beginning of the New Year and is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm in various parts of India. So, there is a plenty of stuff out there that talks about how this festival is celebrated and its importance. But, here I am keen to share with you how the modern day families that live in cities celebrate this festival.

Gudi Padwa holds immense significance and people are generally excited about the festival. They sure want to celebrate it with all their heart. But, citing to the hectic lifestyle of the cities, NO holiday on the Padwa day, indifferent attitude, has been the reason that many families do not really get into all the traditions. I have observed that little alterations have definitely being made in the way the festival is celebrated. My mother keeps talking about all the ancient rituals that have been changed over time. So read on to find out more!

• Traditionally, Gudi is raised on the day of the Gudi Padwa at every household followed by a pooja and prayer. For the Gudi, a new cloth, sari is tied to a clean Bamboo stick along with a flower garland, a garland of neem leaves, and Gaathi (Sugar Crystals). It is topped by silver or a copper pot. Earlier people used to take pride in having large Gudis raised at their households. It indeed used to be a beautiful sight to witness all the gorgeous Gudis all across the societies.
• Today, many families opt for readymade Gudis that are available in the market with all the required materials attached to it. These Gudis are small in size and are easily manageable.

• Traditionally, another ritual that is practiced on the festival day is making the ‘Prasad’ of Gul (Jaggery) and Neem leaves. It is said that eating Jaggery and Neem leaves in this month is great for health and keeps you disease free.
• Today, in some families this ritual is practiced just for the namesake. People (including Me!)  just lick the neem leaves and have some Gul to follow the tradition.
• Sending WhatsApp posts and wishing on Facebook has become the new way of celebrating the festival. Technology has sure brought us close 🙂

Times have changed and many such practices have been altered, but, what remains the same is the feelings of love and joy by which the festival is celebrated. The essence and significance of Gudi Padwa will always remain the same for all the people. And, we will proudly celebrate it with all our heart every year.

How Gudi Padwa is celebrated at my home:

Okay, so I belong to a Maharashtrian family, from Mumbai. Let me share how Padwa is celebrated in my home. Honestly, we do not clean our entire house like how we do during Diwali, but yes, we do a little bit of cleaning here and there. Like many Maharashtrians, we take pride in raising a tall beautiful Gudi at the entrance with a brand new sari and all other materials, also a big silver pot to beautify it all the more. Yes, I do not really eat the Gul Jaggery Prasad as I am not very fond of its taste, although mom makes the traditional Prasad along with Puran Poli. Also, mom loves Rangoli and hence, I decorate the courtyard with a somewhat pretty and colourful Rangoli. We pray, exchange greetings, take the blessings of God and parents, then we kick-start our day….at work!

Quick facts about Gudi Padwa:

• According to the luni-solar Hindu calendar, Gudi Padwa is the first day of Chaitra month that marks the beginning of the New Year.
• The festival has many names such as Samvatsar Padvo, Yugadi, Ugadi, Cheti Chand or and Navreh. It is celebrated in various parts of the country.
• The Gudi symbolizes ‘Victory’ and the day is celebrated as the victory day.
• The Padwa day is considered super auspicious to begin anything new; people buy gold, silver or property on this day.
• There are so many beliefs that are followed by people for this day since ages. It is said that Lord Bhramha created the Universe on this day and hence, the Gudi is also called the Bramhadwaj or Bhramha’s flag.
• It is also believed that the ‘Satyug’ began from this day.
• According to the scriptures, The festival is celebrated as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s victory and the kind King was the one to initiate the festival. There are numerous other beliefs regarding Gudi Padwa that people follow.

Gudi Padwa is one of my favourite festivals that we celebrate with all the love. Now do let me know how you guys celebrate the festival. Do you celebrate it traditionally or with a bit of modernness? I would love to hear from you!

Image Credits: All the images have been downloaded from the one and only Google!

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